Muslims were part of the US from its very beginnings. Among those who served under the command of chief of the continental army, General George Washington, in the war against British colonialism were Bampett Muhammad, who fought for the Virginia Line between the years 1775 and 1783, and Yusuf Ben Ali, who was a North African Arab. This powerpoint shows how American Muslims compose one of the world’s most eclectic and innovative Muslim communities – and they all have remarkable stories to tell.

1. Influential
American
Muslims
Wafa Hozien, Ph.D.
whozien@gmail.com
Halima Aden made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut in 2019 &
was the first hijab-wearing model to appear in the magazine.

2. Most Popular American Muslims
• We all know these American Muslims.
• Congress: Keith Ellison, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Talib
• Athletes: Muhammad Ali, Mahmoud Abdur Rauf,
Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Ibtihaj Muhammad
• Artists: David Chappelle, Lupe Fiasco, Akon
• Advocates: Malcolm X, Warith Deen Muhammad

3. Amani Al-Khatahtbeh
• Amani is a Jordanian-
American author, activist
and tech entrepreneur. She
is the founder of
MuslimGirl.com, a magazine
for Muslim women.
• In 2016, she was included
in Forbes 30 Under 30 in
Media for her work with
MuslimGirl. She was named
one of the 25 most
influential Muslim
Americans by CNN.
• She unsuccessfully ran in
the Democratic primary
for U.S.
Representative for NJ’s 6th
Congressional district in
2020.

4. Nailah Lymus Created
Under Wraps Modeling Agency,
Motto:
Infusion of Inclusion
• Nailah Lymus is a clothing and
accessory designer since 2004.
• Ms. Lymus is a self taught designer.
• Recently showing at NYC Fashion Week
2014 and featured in Couture Fashion
Week 2011 Lymus has established her
name in the Fashion industry.
• Now combining both of her passions
(modesty and fashion) Ms. Lymus has
launched the FIRST Muslim / Modest
Female Modeling Agency merging the
best of both worlds.
• Based in NYC, with a model roster of
Muslim models establishing their mark
in the fashion industry.

5. Halima Aden • A Somali-American
fashion model.
• She is noted for being
the first woman to wear
a hijab in the Miss
Minnesota USA pageant,
where she was a semi-
finalist.
• She was the first model
to wear
a hijab and burkini in
the Sports Illustrated
Swimsuit Issue.

6. Samira Hussein: Education for All
• Started her advocacy work in 1985 with the building of Rolling
Terrace ES, MD.
• Is a Palestinian-American Educator whose steadfast
commitment to cultural education has influenced significant
changes in Montgomery County Public Schools, including a
mandatory cultural sensitivity course for teachers and revised
testing policies that respect the religious observances of
Muslim students.
• Due to her leadership, April is recognized as Arab American
Heritage Month in Maryland.
• Samira has received numerous accolades including: The

7. Zaid Shakir
• Born Ricky Daryl Mitchell in Connecticut.
• While serving in the US Air Force converted to Islam.
• Studied the Quran in Syria and Morocco.
• Taught Islamic Studies at Berkeley.
• Helped to establish the Zaytuna College, America’s first
Islamic Seminary.
• Was the Imam at Muhammad Ali’s (the famous Boxer’s)
funeral.
• A world-renowned Islamic scholar.
• Condemned 9-11 and all forms of terrorism.

8. Zaid Shakir
• He is co-founder and chairman of United For Change, whose stated goal is to leverage the
diversity of the Muslim and interfaith community and address divisive obstacles. In 2015,
he signed the official Memorandum of Understanding between Zaytuna
College and Hartford Seminary in Connecticut. He is one of the signatories of A Common
Word Between Us and You, an open letter by Islamic scholars to Christian leaders, calling
for peace and understanding. Imam Zaid assumed leadership of The Muslim Alliance in
North America (MANA) in 2020 that comprises a broad-based alliance of Muslims
dedicated to striving for justice, and promoting the life-giving truth of Islam.
• He has been listed in The 500 Most Influential Muslims (also known as The Muslim 500) an
annual publication compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Amman,
Jordan, which ranks the most influential Muslims in the world.
• Inspired to work with religious groups on sustainable living and climate change, he is a
Green Faith partner in action for the Earth. The mission is to inspire, educate, organize,
and mobilize people of diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds globally for
environmental action.
• Imam Zaid is a signatory along with religious and spiritual Leaders from around the world
who presented the UN Secretary General with a declaration in support of the Paris Climate
Agreement.

9. Thank You
• Reach out –
• I consult on Educational Equity and available to Speak!
• Dr. Wafa Hozien
• Whozien@gmail.com